Obituary: Chad James Selph

Chad James Selph, pastor of First Baptist Church in Allen, died Dec. 16 following a three-year battle with neuroendocrine tumor cancer. He was 62. He was born Oct. 8, 1961, to Bill and Edith Selph in Victoria. He made his profession of faith in Christ at age 8 and was baptized at Northside Baptist Church in Victoria. After graduating from Victoria High School, he attended Victoria College before transferring to Hardin-Simmons University, where he met his future wife Rhonda. They married in 1985 while he was working on a Master of Divinity degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He took his first full-time ministry position as associate pastor at Bowles Memorial Baptist Church in Grand Prairie and after graduating from seminary, he first became associate pastor at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene and later was called as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Stamford. He became senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Allen in 1997, where he served until his death. During his years of service in Allen, he completed dozens of mission trips around the world, led the church through three building campaigns, and served church members in all stages of life. Even in the later stages of his cancer, he continued to preach, serve and minister to his congregation. During his final days of life, he continued to say the one thing he was most grateful for was the hope that can be found in Jesus. He is survived by his wife of 37 years Rhonda; son Austin Selph and his wife Kathryn of Plano; daughter Lauren Selph of Amarillo; granddaughter Jillian of Plano; parents Bill and Edith Selph of Hot Springs, Ark.; and sister Gail Daigle of Aiken, S.C. A celebration of life is scheduled at 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at First Baptist Church in Allen.